Protective packaging box

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a protective sleeve ( 1 ) for objects ( 10, 10   a,    10   b,    10   c ), e.g., for packaging of knives, saws, tongs, or operating instruments or the like, each exhibiting a rear handle or grip area in the manner of a non-protective area ( 15 ) and a front hazard area ( 11 ) to be protected against grasping which is insertable into the front side opening ( 4 ) open at least on one side of the protective sleeve ( 1, 1   a,    1   b,    1   c ) and is surrounded there by a receiving space ( 2, 3, 8 ), wherein the protective sleeve ( 1, 1   a - 1   c ) exhibits at least one restraining area ( 5 ), which secures the inserted object ( 10, 10   a,    10, 10   c ) against longitudinal movement in the protective sleeve and is elastically deformable and to be opened by manual force.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention concerns a protective sleeve for objects according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such a protective sleeve is provided, for example, for the packaging of knives, other sharp-edged objects, such as saws, operating instruments, as well as tongs, and the like. Similarly, a protective sleeve according to the invention is used for packaging and storage as well as for protection against injuries from cutting and thrusting weapons.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

In the prior art, it has only been previously known to form a protective sleeve for such objects in such a way that there is a protective sleeve open on one side, into the open front side opening of which the object to be protected with its area to be protected against grasping can be inserted.

In the case of a protective sleeve for the packaging of knives or cutting and thrusting weapons, it is accordingly known to insert the blade of the knife or the cutting and thrusting weapon through the front side opening of the protective sleeve open on one side in order thus to have the blade received on all sides in the protective area of the protective sleeve. A known application is the storage of cutting and thrusting weapons in a weapon sheath.

The disadvantage of the previously known protective sleeves open on one side, however, is that longitudinal movement is not restrained. Another disadvantage is that the previously known protective sleeves with low wall thickness also exhibit only low mechanical stability because they do not exhibit any mechanical reinforcements and the like whatsoever especially in the insertion area. For this reason, there is also the danger that when the object to be protected, especially a knife, is inserted, the upper insertion area of the protective sleeve will be unintentionally damaged.

Given the fact that with respect to the known protective sleeves the object to be received there is not restrained as protection against longitudinal movement, there is the additional disadvantage that such protective sleeves cannot be hung vertically on a display wall. There is also then the danger that the object will slip out.

Although it is known in the prior art to attach friction-increasing nubs or the like on the inside of the protective sleeve that contact the surface of the object to be protected, these friction-increasing nubs are insufficient if the objects that are also supposed to be hung in a vertical position on a display wall are heavy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore based on the problem of further developing a protective sleeve of the kind named above so that it offers longitudinal restraint of the object to be received as protection against longitudinal movement, that it is protected against damage when the object is inserted, and that it is easier to handle and more affordable to manufacture.

To solve the stated problem, the invention is characterized by the technical teaching of claim 1.

Essential feature of the invention is that the protective sleeve open on one side in a manner known per se now exhibits at least a restraining area in which one or more restraining elements are arranged that interact with assigned stop surfaces and/or undercuts on the object to be held, and that the restraining area is formed as an elastically deformable deformation area, upon activation of which it is possible to disengage the restraining elements arranged in the restraining area from assigned counter elements on the object to be held.

This yields a completely novel kind of holder of an object to be protected in a protective sleeve. Here it is presumed that the object exhibits an area to be protected that is formed, for example, as a blade or as a saw or as a tong element or the like that is therefore received fully in the protective sleeve. This hazard area is meant to be protected from grasping from the outside because it entails a risk of injury or infection or even a different danger.

Furthermore, connecting to this area of the object to be protected is meant to be another area in which the counter elements of the object to be protected are arranged that work together with the assigned restraining elements on the side of the protective sleeve, wherein connecting to these counter elements of the object is a rear area that is a non-protective area and that forms, for example, the handle of the object to be held or a clamping thread—or more generally—a machine holder.

This then yields for the first time the possibility of achieving a longitudinal restraint to be opened manually for an object received in a protective sleeve.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the restraining elements arranged in the protective sleeve at the upper free end are arranged in an elastic deformation area of the protective sleeve so that, when the protective sleeve is pressed together, these restraining elements are disengaged from the assigned counter elements on the object.

But the invention is not limited to the restraining elements in the restraining area of the protective sleeve being on the upper free insertion end of the protective sleeve. They can be arranged anywhere in the area of the protective sleeve with respect to their longitudinal extension, and this also applies to the counter elements on the object to be held, because not only must they be arranged in the transition area between the non-protective area and the protective area of the object, but these counter elements can also be arranged in the protective area itself.

When reference is made in the present description to an object to be protected in the embodiment of a knife with a sharp edge, then the invention is not limited to this. All objects can form the content of the protective sleeve in so far as they satisfy the previously named and later named features.

In addition to the previously named objects, all other objects can also be received to which packaging is assigned that is meant to protect the object. Here it is not absolutely necessary that the object exhibit a protective area. For example, tongs, scissors, and the like can be received without the protection of the tong or scissor part being relevant.

It is important with respect to the invention that the protective sleeve offers an effective protection against injuries because it is then no longer readily possible to extract the object to be protected from the protective sleeve. Here manual force must be applied in order to activate the restraining area, which according to the invention is formed as an elastically deformable deformation area in order to activate the opposing walls of the protective sleeve in the deformation area with the restraining elements arranged there so that the distance between the restraining elements increases and they therefore disengage from the counter elements arranged on the object.

The invention naturally also protects the kinematic reversal of the locking principle according to the invention:

According to the above description, it was stated that restraining elements opposing each other on the inside of the protective sleeve in the deformation area and opposingly aligned are arranged that are preferably formed as nubs, ribs, or other projections.

But the invention is not limited to the arrangement of restraining elements opposing each other and aligned with each other. It can also be provided that such a restraining element is arranged only on one side in the deformation area, while the opposing wall is smooth and does not bear any restraining element.

Applicable to both embodiments is also the kinematic reversal according to the present invention, which provides that there are recesses in each case facing outward or other bulges projecting outward in the sidewalls parallel to each other, and that on the object to be held are now provided projecting counter elements that engage the protective sleeve-side curvatures and there restrain the object to be held.

Likewise, the two kinematic embodiments, which have been pictured as a reversal, can also be arranged in the one type on the one side of the sidewall of the protective sleeve in the deformation area, while the kinematic reversal of the restraining elements is arranged on the opposing side.

With the arrangement of the restraining elements on the at least one side of the deformation area as bulges of the protective sleeve and on the opposing side as inward facing nubs, this also yields insertion protection in such manner that the object to be held can be inserted only in a specified insertion position while it cannot be held in an insertion position rotated by 180°.

In a further development of the invention, it is provided that the end of the object, which is formed as a non-protective area and which exhibits, for example, a handle, a tool holder, a clamping holder, or the like, can also b closed with a protective cap. This protective cap is then likewise open on one side and is pushed over the end of the object to be held, namely via the non-protective area, and can arbitrarily be engaged with the rearward open end of the protective sleeve. Push-on connections or latching connections or rotating connections or the like are possible here.

With the use of a protective cap that can be pushed, latched, or screwed onto the rear free and open end of the protective sleeve, there is the additional advantage that this area can be sealed so that there is a hermetically sealed protective packaging.

The invention is not limited to the profile forms of a protective sleeve shown in drawings here and a protective cap that might be combinable with it. The profile forms of the protective sleeve represented here mainly refer to an approximately rectangular, oval, or polygonal profile form of the protective sleeve. The invention is not limited to this. The protective sleeve can also be formed as a roundly profiled protective sleeve, wherein the profile forms can deviate from one another in different areas of the protective sleeve. For example, the protective area of the protective sleeve in which the part of the object to be protected is received exhibits a different profile form from comparatively the profile form of the restraining area that is formed as a deformation area.

Furthermore, connecting to the deformation area, which is preferably arranged in the area of the front side opening of the protective sleeve can be additional sections of the protective sleeve that can be profiled in any manner and that are especially well-suited for receiving a protective cap to be pushed, latched, or screwed onto this area.

If, for example, a round profile area is connected to the deformation area of the protective sleeve, then the protective cap to be pushed or screwed onto it likewise can be roundly profiled and bear a suitable thread.

An additional embodiment concerns a protective sleeve consisting of two half shells that are connectable to each other along a parting plane running in longitudinal direction of the object to be packaged. The two half shells can be formed in mirror symmetry to each other.

In another configuration, however, the profile of the one half shell can deviate from the profile of the other half shell.

The two half shells can be fully separable from each other in a first embodiment and in that case they are combined by edge-side latching connections arranged between the half shells into a complete protective packaging.

In another configuration, the two half shells, however, can be arranged pivotably to each other on a longitudinal side through one or more film hinges. To close the protective packaging, the two half shells are then therefore pivoted against each other into a closing position along their longitudinal pivoting axis. The closing position is then restrained and secured between the two half shells by a latching opposing the film hinge and preferably likewise arranged on the edge-side.

The subject matter of the present invention is evident not only from the subject matter of the individual patent claims, but also from the combination of the individual patent claims with each other.

All information and features disclosed in the documents, including the summary, especially the spatial configuration represented in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the invention to the extent that they are novel compared to the prior art individually or in combination.

To the extent that individual objects are designated as “essential to the invention” or “important,” this does not mean that these objects must necessarily form the subject matter of an independent claim. This is solely determined by the respectively valid version of the independent patent claim.

The invention will be further explained below by means of drawings representing merely one way of execution. Additional features and advantages of the invention essential to the invention proceed here from the drawings and their description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following are shown:

FIG. 1: in schematic form a generalized representation of a protective sleeve according to the invention.

FIG. 2: in schematic form the side view of an object to be received in the protective sleeve.

FIG. 3: a first embodiment for receiving a knife in a protective sleeve, wherein the knife is drawn in the not yet completely inserted state.

FIG. 4: the insertion state of the knife upon overcoming the deformation area.

FIG. 5: the finished insertion position of the knife in the locked state.

FIG. 6: a view similar to FIG. 5 with representation of additional details.

FIG. 7: the representation of the deformation area in the deformed and non-deformed state.

FIG. 8: cross-section through the deformation area of the protective sleeve in the non-deformed state with representation of the wall strengths.

FIG. 9: a representation similar to FIG. 6 with representation of additional details.

FIG. 10: a cross-section according to the line X-X in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11: an enlarged detailed view of the deformation area of the protective sleeve in the non-deformed state.

FIG. 12: the cross-section according to the line XII-XII in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13: the cross-section according to the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 9.

FIG. 14A-14G: the profile form of the respective restraining nub in the top view and in cross-section.

FIG. 15: representation of how an object to be protected can be secured against removal.

FIG. 16: representation of a first profile form of the deformation area of the protective sleeve.

FIG. 17: representation of a second profile form of the deformation area of the protective sleeve.

FIG. 18: representation of the profile form of the deformation area of the protective sleeve in a third embodiment.

FIG. 19: a modified embodiment of a protective sleeve receiving a different object.

FIG. 20: an embodiment modified from FIG. 19.

FIG. 21: a further representation of the receiving of an object in a protective sleeve, wherein the object is used preferably for medical purposes.

FIG. 22: the deformation position of the protective sleeve upon withdrawal of the object.

FIG. 23: cross-section through the object in the area of the counter elements.

FIG. 24: a further embodiment of the invention with a protective sleeve consisting of two parts in perspective view.

FIG. 25: a detailed representation of the latching of the embodiment according to FIG. 24.

FIG. 26: a schematic representation of a first embodiment with half shells in mirror symmetry.

FIG. 27: a schematic representation of a second embodiment with half shells in non-mirror symmetry.

DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the basic principle of the protective sleeve, which can be modified in many different ways. The protective sleeve 1 according to FIG. 1 essentially consists of two sidewalls 2 opposing each other and preferably parallel to each other, which between them form a receiving space for an object 10 to be received, wherein the two sidewalls 2 are connected to each other on the front side by longitudinal front walls 8, and the end of the protective sleeve 1 is sealed by a front wall 3. The protective sleeve is formed preferably as a blow molding part or as an injection molding part, so that all wall parts of the protective sleeve are connected to each other preferably in a single piece of material.

But in a different configuration it can consist of parts subsequently combined with each other. For example, the sidewalls 2 could have been connected to the separate longitudinal front walls 8 via an adhesive, welding, or latching method.

The invention is not limited to a protective sleeve 1 sealed on the front side. The front wall 3 can also be eliminated and it can be profiled in any manner.

At the opposing side to the front wall 3, the protective sleeve 1 forms a front side opening 4, which is provided as an insertion opening for an object 10 to be inserted there.

The protective sleeve is subdivided into various areas. The larger and longer area of the protective sleeve serves to receive the object 10, specifically to receive a hazard area 11 to be protected, which is therefore inserted into the protective sleeve 1 via the front side opening 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the protective sleeve 1 in the area of its front side opening 4 exhibits a restraining area 5, in the area of which at least one restraining element 9 is arranged that interacts with assigned counter elements 13, 14 on the object 10.

In the following description of figures, it is assumed that the restraining elements 9 are formed as inward facing nub, ribs, or similar restraining elements aligned with each other and opposing each other.

In the general description, however, it has already been indicated that it is sufficient to use only a single restraining element 9 on a sidewall that interacts with an assigned counter element 13 or 14 on the object 10.

In the kinematic reversal, it is likewise possible that the nub-type restraining elements 9 formed as inward facing and opposingly aligned with each other are now formed as outward facing curvatures, wherein in turn only a single, outward facing curvature is sufficient that works together with an assigned counter element 13, 14, wherein in that case the counter element is then formed as an outwardly projecting nub on the object 10.

The restraining area 5 is formed as a deformation area 31, by elastic deformation of which the restraining elements 9 can be disengaged from the counter elements 13, 14 on the object 10.

It is represented in the drawing only in schematic form that the restraining area 5, which at the same time forms the deformation area 31, is arranged in the proximity of the open front side opening 4. The invention is not limited to this. The restraining area 5 can also be arranged, for example, in the center area of the protective sleeve 1, as a result of which the front side opening 4 then becomes longer and therefore also the insertion area.

Accordingly, the locking area 12 on the object 10 must then—corresponding to the restraining area 5 of the protective sleeve 1—also correspond to the restraining area 5 moved in longitudinal direction.

FIGS. 1 and 2 also show that, when the object 10 is received in the protective sleeve 1, the right end of the protective sleeve 1 is closable through a protective cap 6, wherein the protective cap is detachably connectable to the protective sleeve in any manner It is to be fastened such that it can be pushed, latched, welded, adhered, or screwed onto the protective sleeve 1.

The protective cap 6 is therefore pushed, screwed, or latched onto the front side opening 4 of the protective sleeve 1 in arrow direction 7.

The invention leaves it completely open what profile form the protective sleeve is formed in. For instance, the area in which the object 10 engages its area 11 to be protected can be profiled rectangularly, ovally, roundly, or polygonally or formed in any other different shape.

This also applies to the restraining area 5, the profile form of which can be configured in any manner, which therefore likewise can be formed rectangularly, polygonally, quadratically, or roundly.

The protective cap 6, which is possibly to be pushed on or latched on, is then adapted to the profile form in the area of the front side opening 4 of the protective sleeve 1.

As a rule, the use of a protective cap 6 is not necessary. The non-protective area 15 of an object 10 to be held would then project from the right end of the protective sleeve 1 and does not need any further protection.

This is preferred especially with respect to the packaging of knives and similar objects, such as cutting and thrusting weapons, because the user can then examine the knife handle and assess the material of the knife handle.

Likewise, the innovative protective sleeve provides the possibility of packaging in the protective sleeve sensitive tools and the like, the receiving end of which freely projects from the rear end of the protective sleeve. In this way, it is likewise possible to insert the tool to be protected together with the protective sleeve into a receiving area of a tool machine or generally into a holder, and only when the tool has been fastened in the receiving area can the protective sleeve be removed from the item to be protected by manipulating the deformation area 31.

With the protective sleeve according to the invention, there is therefore the possibility of mounting objects to be protected on receiving areas of machines.

In FIG. 3, a side view of the protective sleeve with a knife 20 is shown that has not yet been fully inserted into the protective sleeve 1 in the insertion direction (arrow direction 25).

The knife consists of a blade 21, which is to be protected against grasping and which represents the area 11 to be protected, and further a handle 22 connecting to the blade 21, which handle defines the non-protective area 15 of the object.

The knife is therefore inserted into the front side opening 4 of the protective sleeve 1 in arrow direction 25, wherein in the shown embodiment the handle 22 at its front end exhibits an inclined plane 23 and a finger guard 26 connecting to the inclined plane, which finger guard prevents the hand enclosing the handle 22 from slipping forward onto the blade 21.

Behind the finger guard 26, an undercut is arranged that functions as counter element 13, 14 within the meaning of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the area of the protective sleeve 1, there are in the area of the opposing sidewalls two opposing centering nubs 18, the functioning of which will be explained by means of FIG. 12.

Furthermore, the protective sleeve 1 is sealed on the front side and exhibits a push-through protection 17, which will be explained by means of the later FIG. 10.

Furthermore, on the other side of the deformation area 31 on the protective sleeve 1 there is provided a stop wall that interacts with the inclined plane 23 on the handle 22.

The stop surface was also shown in FIG. 1 and interacts there with an assigned stop surface 30 on the object 10 to be protected, as shown in FIG. 2.

With the interaction of these two stop areas, a secure stop limit of the object 10 to be held is therefore guaranteed in the protective sleeve 1, and the object 10 to be protected is prevented from being inserted too far into the protective sleeve 1 in longitudinal direction.

The function of this stop wall will be further explained below in FIG. 13.

It is important in any case that this stop wall 19 is adapted to the profile form of the front side of the handle 22 so that the two stop surfaces 19, 23 are flush with each other and are highly load-transmitting.

Naturally, the adaptation in other cases of an object is different, for instance, the stop wall can be formed straight, and in FIG. 1 a straight surface 23 is drawn in that interacts with an assigned stop surface 30 of a general object 10.

The advantage of the arrangement of such a stop wall is that as a result the front-side end of the protective sleeve 1 is reinforced, and therefore there is a delimiting or partitioning of the insertion area of the protective sleeve toward the deformation area 31 on the rear end of the front side opening 4.

To the left of the stop wall 19, the protective sleeve 1 therefore is preferably not deformable or is formed from a relatively non-deformable plastic material while to the right of the stop wall 19 a deformation area 31 is provided for which the deformation 31 is then deformed by finger pressure in arrow direction 33 (see FIG. 4) so that the two opposing restraining nubs 27 detach from each other (see the arrow directions in FIG. 4) and the previous restraining contour 16 in the deformation area 31 deforms into a widened restraining contour 16′ so that the two opposing and aligned restraining nubs 27 are disengaged from the undercut 24 on the handle 22 of the knife 20.

FIG. 4 shows the insertion motion of the knife 20 upon overcoming the deformation area 31. It is shown that the undercut 24 by itself thanks to the insertion force in arrow direction 25 performs the deformation in the restraining area 5, and therefore the previously roughly rectangular restraining contour 16 widens in an arch, as shown in FIG. 4, in order thus to remove the two opposing restraining nubs 27 from each other and to disengage the undercut 24 on the handle.

FIG. 5, by contrast, shows the secured insertion position of the knife 20 in the protective sleeve 1, where it can be seen that the finger guard 26 has now overcome the restraining nub 27 and sits under the restraining nub 27, so that the restraining nub 27 in the area of the undercut 24 makes contact and therefore there is absolute security against longitudinal movement of the knife 20 in the protective sleeve 1 according to FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows the locked insertion position of the knife 20 according to FIG. 5. It can further be seen that the handle-side inclined plane 23 then contacts the protective sleeve-side stop wall 19 and an effective security against longitudinal movement results. The tip 28 of the knife preferably has a certain distance 29 from a push-through protection 17 arranged there.

FIG. 7 then shows the mechanical deformation of the deformation area 31 of the protective sleeve 1 in the restraining area 5.

If, by finger pressure or by machine, pressure is applied on both sides in arrow direction 33 against assigned surfaces in the deformation area 31 to protective sleeve 1, the previous, roughly rectangular restraining contour 16 changes to a bulging restraining contour 16′, and the restraining nubs 27 aligned and opposing each other on the inside of the restraining contour 16 in the restraining area 5 take their spread position following arrow direction 34 according to 27′. Therefore the object to be held can be readily extracted from the protective sleeve.

As an example of possible wall strengths, FIG. 8 shows that pressure on the opposing longitudinal front walls 8 must be enough for the opposing sidewalls 2 to bulge in the manner according to FIG. 7.

The invention is not limited to this. Instead of applying pressure in the arrow directions 33, it is sufficient to apply asymmetrical pressure, wherein, for example, the diametrically opposing transition edges between the longitudinal front wall 8 and the assigned sidewall 2 are pressed.

It is sufficient to apply pressure in arrow direction 33 only from one side if the opposing side sits on an assigned stop surface.

The invention is not limited to the profile form shown here of the sidewalls 2 and the longitudinal front walls 8 connecting to it. The sidewalls can also form an S-shaped contour—at least in the deformation area 31—to enable an even better bulging in the form of the restraining contour 16′ according to FIG. 7. Such an S-shaped contour has the advantage that with relatively low finger pressure a very large deformation width is possible proceeding from the restraining contour 16 up to the restraining contour 16′.

FIG. 9 shows merely as an example that in the deformation area 31 opposing handle recesses 32 are provided that are meant to indicate haptically that the deformation area 31 can be deformed in the manner according to FIG. 7 by finger pressure on the two opposing handle recesses (see also FIG. 11).

FIG. 10 shows the so-called push-through protection 17. It consists of two opposing and connected rib areas that are welded in the contact area and therefore form a stable counter surface at the tip 28 of the blade 21.

The handle recesses 32 can also have a suitable, handle-friendly surface structure 35.

FIG. 12 also shows that in the area of the protective sleeve there can be opposing and facing centering nubs 18 that contact both sides of the flat sides of the object to be held, especially the blade 21 in order thus to hold the blade centered in the area of the protective sleeve 1. In other embodiments, however, these centering nubs 18 can also be eliminated or there can also be several of them.

The centering nubs 18 can exhibit any designs; they can also be rib-shaped.

FIG. 13 shows the insertion position of the handle 22 into the front side opening 4 of the protective sleeve 1 and generally shows the protective sleeve-side stop wall 19 contacting the knife-side inclined plane 23. Therefore, the object to be held is secured in longitudinal direction reliably and in a highly loaded-transmitting manner

FIGS. 14a-14g show in top view and in cross-section various embodiments of nubs 27 that are therefore designated according to their embodiment with lowercase letters a to g.

The top picture in each case is the top view of the respective nub 27, and the bottom picture is the profile form of the same nub.

Every nub 27 a-27 g exhibits preferably an insertion bevel 37 by which the object 10 to be held can be slightly moved, and if it is in its locked position, an assigned stop surface 38, which is preferably bent or inclined, is meant to contact the object 10 so that it can be withdrawn from the nub 27 only with difficulty by overcoming this stop surface 38.

Furthermore, FIG. 14a shows a roughly quadratic nub with a wedge profile, while FIG. 14b shows an oval nub with an airfoil profile, while FIG. 14c shows a teardrop-shaped nub in the top view and likewise an airfoil principle, while FIG. 14d shows an oval nub with a half-round profile, while FIG. 14e shows a round nub with likewise an airfoil principle, while FIG. 14f shows an inclined oval nub with an airfoil profile, and FIG. 14g shows an inclined, curved nub with likewise an airfoil profile.

FIG. 15 shows as security against removal and as antitheft protection the use of an adhesive label 36, which serves as manipulation security. The adhesive label 36 is adhered on the side to the front side opening 4 of the protective sleeve 1 and likewise to the handle 22 in order to identify an undesired removal of the knife 20. If the knife 20 is removed, the adhesive label 36 is destroyed.

It is merely shown in the interests of simplicity that the adhesive label 36 is adhered to one of the sidewalls 2 of the protective sleeve 1. In another configuration, one or more such adhesive labels 36 can also be adhered to one or more of the longitudinal front walls 8 or on other places.

The adhesive labels 36 can also be sleeve-shaped.

FIGS. 16 to 18 show different profile forms of the profile of the protective sleeve at least in the deformation area 31. It has already been shown by means of the general FIGS. 1 and 2 that the profile of the protective sleeve 1 on the other side of the deformation area 31 can also deviate from the profile in the deformation area.

Therefore, FIG. 16 shows only a roughly rectangular profile 16A, which is converted into an arched profile 16A′ when the two opposing longitudinal front walls 8 of the protective sleeve 1 in the deformation area 31 are pressed together by suitable pressure.

Deviating from this, FIG. 17 shows that at least the deformation area 31 can be oval, and therefore form a restraining contour 16 b that can be converted into a widened oval form of a restraining contour 16 b′ in the arrow directions 33 by finger pressure.

FIG. 18 shows that at least the restraining contour 16 c is formed from a multiple polygonal cross-section that is formed preferably symmetrically, and upon pressure on the suitable, opposing longitudinal front sides of this restraining contour 16 c the restraining contour is converted into the restraining contour 16 c′ shown in drawn-out lines.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show further examples of the holding of objects in a protective sleeve 1. The protective sleeve 1 a shown there is suitable for receiving, for example, scissors, which is generally designated as object 10 a.

Characterizing this type of protective sleeve is the fact that the deformation area 31 directly connects to the insertion area, and that in the insertion area (deformation area 31) two parallel and adjacent restraining nubs 27 a, 27 b are arranged that engage the assigned handle openings of the scissors and therefore secure the scissors against removal from the protective sleeve 1.

Only when the protective sleeve is elastically deformed by finger pressure in the arrow directions 33 on the deformation area 31 do the aligned and opposing restraining nubs 27 a, 27 b arranged in pairs detach from each other, and as a result the scissors can be easily removed from the protective sleeve 1.

Moreover, all other features that were described in conjunction with the previous FIGS. 1 to 18 also apply to the present embodiment according to FIGS. 19, 20 to 23.

FIG. 20 shows as a further embodiment that it is not absolutely necessary to apply the deformation work in the deformation area 31 by manual force in arrow direction 33. It is shown that with respect to the holding of tongs the tong halves themselves can be pressed together in arrow direction 33 as a result of which in the center area between the tong halves the opposing restraining nubs 27 are pressed together, the protective sleeve 1 is thereby spread apart, and therefore the tongs can be removed from the protective sleeve 1 when the handles are pressed together.

It has already been emphasized that instead of opposing nubs 27, 27 a, 27 b, and 27 c it is also sufficient to arrange such a nub only on one wall of the protective sleeve 1. This also applies especially to an embodiment according to FIGS. 19 and 20.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show a flat object 10 c, which, for example, is formed as a medical knife, as a saw, or generally as a medical instrument that exhibits on its back side a receiving area 39 with which this object 10 c can be clamped in a receiving device. Here as well the object 10 c exhibits undercuts that are formed as counter elements 13, and these undercuts work together with the assigned restraining nubs 27 in the sidewall of the protective sleeve 1.

In the vertical plane to the parts 13, 27 engaging each other in the security position there are opposing handle curvatures 40 on the protective sleeve 1 in the area of the sidewall 2, which curvatures project beyond the surface of the respective sidewall 2 and when they are pressed together there is a material extension of the sidewall 2 so that the sidewall 2 deforms in the deformation area as is shown in FIG. 22. Therefore, the protective sleeve-side restraining nubs 27 disengage from the object-side undercuts in the manner of counter elements 13, and the object can be removed with its receiving area 39 from the protective sleeve 1 c.

FIG. 23 shows a cross-section through the object to be held 10 c in the area of the counter elements 13.

FIGS. 24 to 27 show another embodiment of a protective sleeve for which the same parts have the same reference numbers.

FIG. 24 shows a perspective representation of a first embodiment of a protective sleeve that essentially consists of two latchingly connectable half shells 1 d-1 d.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 26 it is shown that these two half shells 1 d-1 d are formed in mirror symmetry.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 27 it is shown that such half shells 1 e-1 f can be formed in non-mirror symmetry.

In the perspective representation according to FIG. 24, a total of two different embodiments are drawn in for both of which separate protection is claimed.

The first embodiment refers to FIG. 24 in conjunction with FIGS. 26 and 27 and concerns the fact that the two half shells 1 d-1 d and 1 e-1 f are completely detachable from each other and are not connected to each other by any connecting means in the open state.

Edge-side latching connections are provided as connecting means for the two half shells, which accordingly exhibit a parting plane continuous in longitudinal direction.

According to FIG. 24, there are latching connections both on the upper longitudinal edges as well as the lower longitudinal edges of the half shells 1 d, 1 d assigned to each other.

The latching connections are arranged by mutual distance from each other, and each latching connection in the embodiment consists of a latching lobe 41, which exhibits a rear facing latching lip that engages an assigned, opposing recess in which a latching bar 42 is arranged, one surface of which is inclined in order to be engaged in the by the inclined, rear facing latching lobes.

Because the latching lobe 41 is formed flexibly, the latching connection can be easily released by pressing on the packaging.

The same latching connections are also formed on the lower longitudinal edge of the two half shells.

FIG. 24 therefore shows that the two half shells 1 d-1 d or 1 e-1 f are completely separated from each other in the released state and are latchingly connectable to each other only in the area of a parting plane 47.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 24, however, a second embodiment is also drawn in that nevertheless is indicated only by drawing. It is stated there that in the area of a lower longitudinal edge 43 there can be a film edge 46 that appears piecewise or extends over the entire longitudinal edge 43, so that the two half shells 1 d-1 d or 1 e-1 f are pivotably connected to each other in the area of the longitudinal edge 43 and are pivoted with each other in arrow direction 45 and are latchable with each other through the previously named latching connections 41, 42.

Characterizing all embodiments is the fact that the deformation area 31 according to the invention is present even with these embodiments in order thus to enable easy opening of the packaging.

Opening is achieved according to FIG. 24 by pivoting apart in the counter direction to the arrow direction 45 or—in the other embodiment—the two half shells are pressed against each other in arrow direction 44 in order thus to engage the latching connections 41, 42 assigned to each other.

DRAWING KEY

-   1 Protective sleeve 1 a, 1 c -   2 Sidewall -   3 Front wall -   4 Front side opening -   5 Restraining area -   6 Protective cap -   7 Arrow direction -   8 Longitudinal front wall -   9 Restraining element -   10 Object 10 a, b, c -   11 Danger area (to be protected) -   12 Locking area -   13 Counter element -   14 Counter element -   15 Non-protective area -   16 Restraining contour (of 1) 16′ -   17 Push-through protection -   18 Centering nub -   19 Stop wall (of 1) -   20 Knife -   21 Blade -   22 Handle -   23 Inclined plane (of 20) -   24 Undercut -   25 Arrow direction -   26 Finger protection -   27 Restraining nub (of 9) -   28 Tip (of blade 21) -   29 Distance -   30 Stop surface (of 22) -   31 Deformation area (of 1) -   32 Handle recess -   33 Arrow direction -   34 Arrow direction -   35 Surface structure -   36 Adhesive label -   37 Insertion bevel -   38 Stop surface -   39 Receiving area -   40 Handle curvature -   41 Latching lobe -   42 Latching bar -   43 Longitudinal edge -   44 Arrow direction -   45 Arrow direction -   46 Film hinge (optional) -   47 Parting plane 

What is claimed is:
 1. Protective sleeve (1) for objects (10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c), e.g., for packaging of knives, saws, tongs, or operating instruments or the like, each exhibiting a rear handle or grip area in the manner of a non-protective area (15) and a front hazard area (11) to be protected against grasping which is insertable into the front side opening (4) open at least on one side of the protective sleeve (1, 1 a, 1 b, 1 c) and is surrounded there by a receiving space (2, 3, 8), characterized in that protective sleeve (1, 1 a-1 c) exhibits at least one restraining area (5), which secures the inserted object (10, 10 a, 10, 10 c) against longitudinal movement in the protective sleeve and is elastically deformable and to be opened at least by manual force.
 2. Protective sleeve according to claim 1 characterized in that at least in the insertion area of the protective sleeve (1) one or more restraining elements (9, 27, 27 a, 27 b, 27 c) are arranged that interact with assigned counter elements (13, 14) on the object (10, 10 a, 10, 10 c) to be secured and held, and that the restraining area (5) is formed as an elastically deformable restraining contour (16, 16′, 31), upon activation of which the restraining elements (9, 27, 27 a, 27 b, 27 c) of the protective sleeve (1) arranged in the restraining area (5) can be disengaged from assigned counter elements (13, 14) on the object (10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c) to be held.
 3. Protective sleeve according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the restraining elements (9, 27, 27 a, 27 b, 27 c) arranged on the upper free end of the protective sleeve (1) are arranged opposingly and aligned with each other on the sidewalls (2) of the protective sleeve (1) in an elastic deformation area (31) of the protective sleeve (1), which connects to the front side opening (4) of the protective sleeve (1).
 4. Protective sleeve according to at least one of the claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the restraining elements (9, 27, 27 a, 27 b, 27 c) on the one sidewall (2) of the protective sleeve are in mirror symmetry and aligned with the same restraining elements on the opposing sidewall (2).
 5. Protective sleeve according to at least one of the claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the restraining elements (9, 27, 27 a, 27 b, 27 c) are arranged only on the one sidewall (2) of the protective sleeve and on the opposing sidewall (2) are either absent or differently formed.
 6. Protective sleeve according to at least one of the claims 1 to 5 characterized in that on the end of the protective sleeve (1, 1 a, 1 b, 1 c) exhibiting the front side opening (4) a protective cap (6) can be pushed or latched or screwed.
 7. Protective sleeve according to at least one of the claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the restraining elements (9) are formed as inwardly facing, aligned, and opposing nubs, ribs, or the like.
 8. Protective sleeve according to at least one of the claims 1 to 7 characterized in that for manual activation of the deformation area (31) of the protective sleeve (1) diametrically opposed handle recesses (32) are arranged in the deformation area (31) of the protective sleeve (1).
 9. Protective sleeve according to at least one of the claims 1 to 8 characterized in that counter elements (13, 14) arranged on the object are formed as stop surfaces (23, 30) and/or undercuts (24).
 10. Protective sleeve according to at least one of the claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the rear area of the object to be held projects freely from the insertion-side end of the protective sleeve (1, 1 a-1 c). 